A r my P RO G R A M S
Warfighting Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T)
Executive Summary
• The Army does not have an acquisition strategy, test strategy,
or concept of operations for the transition from Joint Network
Node to the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical
(WIN-T).
• WIN-T conducted a limited demonstration of capabilities
at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The network tested was limited
in size, consisted of scripted events, and was largely
contractor-controlled. The demonstration was sufficient to
indicate that the concept of an “on-the-move” WIN-T network
is feasible.
• The Army strategy to insert WIN-T capability into the current
force is not expected to be defined until March 2007.
• Efforts to synchronize WIN-T development with the Joint
Tactical Radio System (JTRS) and the Future Combat System
(FCS) are ongoing.
System
• The WIN-T system is designed to be the Army’s tactical
intranet.
• The Army intends the WIN-T system to provide reliable,
secure, and seamless video, data, imagery, and voice
services. WIN-T is a high-speed and high-capacity
backbone communications network. WIN-T will support
communications from the fixed-station sustaining base to FCS
Brigade Combat Teams and Modular Brigade Combat Teams.
• WIN-T has ground, airborne, and space layers:
- The ground layer key components are:
▪ JTRS Ground Mobile Radio
▪ JTRS Handheld, Man-pack, Small Form-Fit
▪ Personal communications device
▪ Secure wireless local area network
- The airborne layer consists of:
▪ Warrior Extended Range/Multi-purpose Unmanned
aerial vehicles
▪ Tethered air vehicles with a WIN-T airborne
communications node
- The space layer utilizes:
▪ Commercial satellites such as C-band or Ka-band
satellites
▪ Military satellites such as the Wideband Gapfiller or
Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites to
provide reach-back via the Global Information Grid
• The Army intends for the current force to use WIN-T
to provide commercial satellite access and commercial
off-the-shelf systems to satisfy bandwidth and network service
demands.
Activity
• The WIN-T program conducted a limited demonstration of
capabilities at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in November 2005.
• Army re-baselining efforts, to define an adequate evolution
strategy from Joint Network Node to WIN-T, will continue
until the Defense Acquisition Board in 1QFY07.
• Efforts to synchronize WIN-T development with the JTRS
and the FCS are ongoing.
Assessment
• The WIN-T configuration items tested at Fort Huachuca,
Arizona, were not production-representative items. These
configurations will require additional development,
integration, and testing.
• The network tested was limited in size, consisted of
scripted events, and was largely contractor-controlled.
Mission
• WIN-T will provide commanders at all echelons with the
ability to communicate on the move and at remote locations.
• WIN-T will support mobile commanders by integrating
communications capabilities into maneuver platforms to
support dispersed operations at extended ranges.
• The Army intends for commanders in the current force
and FCS Brigade Combat Teams to use WIN-T to
integrate terrestrial, airborne, and military satellite-based
communications capabilities into a network infrastructure
to provide connectivity across an extended non-linear
battlespace.
WIN-T
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A r my P RO G R A M S
The demonstration was sufficient to indicate that the concept
of an “on-the-move” WIN-T network is feasible.
• Significant difficulties were encountered in collecting and
reducing the data during the test. The difficulties indicate that
development of measures, instrumentation, and data reduction
techniques is needed to test large, high-speed data networks
where the network nodes, as well as subscribers, are on the
move.
Recommendations
• Status of Previous Recommendations. The FY05
recommendation remains valid.
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WIN-T
FY05 #1: DOT&E recommended the Army actively
synchronize JTRS, FCS, and WIN-T programs. This activity
is ongoing.
• FY06 Recommendations. The Army should:
1. Provide an updated acquisition strategy, concept of
operations, and Test and Evaluation Master Plan for the
evolution from Joint Network Node to WIN-T.
2. Ensure the WIN-T program includes a funded airborne
layer. Due to the demand on the satellite resources, the
WIN-T is highly dependent on the airborne layer.